MOST HELPFUL POSTS

Crystal - posted on 03/27/2013

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As a mom of a teen who was just recently diagnosed with Bipolar II. I have been devastated as much as relieved to realize that my daughter is the way she is because she has a disorder. I was not a "bad mom" like I thought because she didn't respond to me the way other teens responded to their moms. Reaching out to give as well as get support has been so helpful. The amount of "trial and error" drugs during this time has been staggering. Highs and lows are sometimes crushing for the both of us. (We have currently hit a smooth 24 hour period or my post would be frantic) I truly admire the courage that each one of you has. I have blamed myself for every detail and wept into my pillow, stared at her while she sleeps, babysat my 15 year old teen through the most hideous depression, body shakes till her teeth rattled, ER times, terrible reactions to the drugs, suicidal thoughts, hallucinations from a reaction to yet another pill, and googled till my fingers were to numb to type. I was afraid her psychiatrist might file a restraining order if I panic texted and called her one more time. (which thankfully the doctor had amazing patience) My teen is stable now-for the moment- but to all of us moms that sit up praying for miracles, begging for cures, living through guilt while walking on eggshells, I know that we can all get through this. This is my first time on this site and I just hope that if there is a magical cure - we will share it. I am relieved to know that there are other moms out there brave enough to speak out and reach out. It is as hard on our kids sometimes as it is on us-or is it the other way around?? patience, love, understanding and lots and lots of information seems to be what will help us all...

My son is bi-polar too. It is difficult to deal with at at times. Discipline may not be the problem. I used to feel like that and I even tried to up the punishments and it made it worse. Just remember with a bi-polar child they have a harder time dealing with things a child without it could deal with... like brake up, bullying.... Try a "nice approch" I found talking or really listening without reacting like a parent when my son come to me helps. He finally trust me to tell me when things are going on in his life that he is struggling with. As a teen the first thing they are thinking is that we won't understand or that we will "get onto" them for the issue. Be undsterstanding. Give them some space and remind them that you can help. But let them help you come up with a solution. When my son is in his mean mood he lets me know he needs away before he feels like hurting someone. Normally he goes to his room playing his guitar or outside away from everyone til it passes. Each person is different and different thing work. As for meds. He is on meds for his ADHD but not for his bi-polar. I want him to be able to fing ways to deal with things on his own and one day he will be off the ADHD meds as well. But he will have to figure out how to handle problems first. Plus with teens even if they don't have bi-polar they are still going to have mood issues. They are coming into their own person and trying to figure out where they fit. Just hang in there. God gets me through it and he can help you too!

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Crystal - posted on 03/27/2013

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How does your son do on the Vyvanse? My teen did not seem to tolerate it so will. It agitated her. The effexor and lithium she is on makes her shake and have no energy but so far has had the least amount of hideous side effects, When she takes the vyvanse it's like her hair trigger is always cocked and ready to fire over things like lint in the air etc. She rages and can't calm down, makes irrational decisions, and after a terrible outburst with the most shocking hateful mean things hurled at anyone close to her (usually me) she passes out for the next 12-24 hours depending on the episode. I know enough now to ride it out and not play in to the rages, but I do know that it wears her out and when she acts out in a rage that her levels are off, I am trying to see what vitamins would help her stabilize. Omega-3's and Vit D have been the only things I can get down her and it only depends on if I can catch her on a perfect day. I have seen some improvement but looking into some cognitive behavior therapy etc to help give her the tools to reason her way through both an oncoming manic episode or figure out some of her triggers. If I find something that helps her I will be sure to share. You have my support and encouragement

My 18 year old son was diagnosed with bipolar disorder two years ago. Has been treated for ADHD for 12 years. Currently is on Lithium and Seroquel, along with Vyvanse.

Our family life is so stressful, with him raging around every day or two. I have three younger children who have to hear terrible language and everything that goes on with his rants. He's trying tonight to get back with his gf. They broke up a month ago and the last month has been hellish for my son and all of us around him. The girl's father is prepared to have him charged for harassment, I'm afraid.

He comes to talk to me. I'm basically a sounding board and verbal punching bag. He won't talk to dad, who has a hard time dealing with the mood swings, though he's getting better. i get stressed out when he's home, when he's at classes (attends local community college). I don't think his Lithium is at a therapeutic level, as his mood swings are quite prominent still. His well being is always on my mind. I can't help it. I fear he might commit suicide at some point.

I'll be contacting his psychiatrist tomorrow about the mood swings, despite being on meds. Wish me luck!

Melissa i only wish that was true for us. But shes struggled from the age of 7 years old. I have a strong history of Bipolar through my family. I really hope and wish it to be true thats its not. Its a rollercoaster of a ride for us all. Extreme mood changes are horrendous to live with.

she probably not bi-polar, she might have Premenstrual dysphoric disorder. i was diagnosed with bi-polar as a teenager, turns out im not bi-polar and that it was just hormones. people hand out bi-polar diagnoses like candy on halloween, and its gravely misunderstood

Just to let you know- you are not alone. I have a fifteen year old daughter that used to cut and is bipolar. After we found a combination of meds that seem to work, things have calmed down, but you are always scared that things can blow up at any second-which can cause a lot of stress. Not only does my daughter go to counseling, but I go to my own therapist as well. My doctor also put me on an antidepressant- to help with the dispair I was feeling. There are still tough times, but there are also good times. I have brought my mother-in-law in when things were really bad, simply because my daughter couldn't storm at me in front of her grandmother who she respects. And I also distance myself as well. It's preservation!

I am wondering the same thing myself. I have delt with my daughter and her cuting herself for four years. she has stopped cutting the time being but we are still battling with anger outbursts-for such small things. I have cried all day and feel like a failure as a mom. But i have noted that other moms are dealing with angry teens so I am feeling not quite a failure as I was. She was dianosed with ADD when she was a child. She has always struggled in school-we are one week away from completing high school-but last night was awful and I had to get my mom to come get her...I felt like putting distance between us and her was the best idea at the time. I feel so helpless-you don't know how to dicipline, what to saym what to do for fear of driving them over the edge. I thought her Lamictal was working. We had to stop the Serroguel as it was blowing her up. Feeling helpless so I know how you feel ..glad to know I am not in this boat by myself. Cheryl find me on FB or at 18cjohnson@gmail.com

My 15 yr old daughter is bipolar. Shes been in the hospital 2x's. Its the hardest thing I have had to go through. I also have had to deal with my mother being bipolar so I kinds understand the illness. My daughter is now on prozac & so far it seems to be helping. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT! Just be there to listen but don't let them use it to their advantage for getting their way.

It has nothing to do with discipline. My sister is bipolar, and let me tell you, sometimes the oddest things would just send her into a blind rage. For the longest time, we all dismissed it as her being "moody", until she was finally diagnosed. It's taken a hard toll on her relationships, her friendships, her career and her children. I would urge you to not look at this as a behavioural issue, but as a psychological one. The earlier she gets help, the better the odds of her being able to live a functional life.

yeah sometimes. if my husband says something to me my mood can easily change. you just have to stay calm and make sure that she knows that your there for her. sometimes we may need more than just talking. maybe try telling her that you know how she feels even if you don't really know because sometimes that helps. what are some of the things that you are struggling with her? like what kind of things does she do? you could even try asking her to write down the things that makes her mad or upset?

no but im bipolar. its not that your not diplining your child right. your not a bad parent. try sitting down with your child and talk to him/ her. it doesnt help to sream or yell at them try talking so they feel like you understand them. ask them whats wrong and what you can do to help them. but sometimes that may not work if it doesnt then just let them know that if they need you you will be here and then eventually on their own time they'll come to you and tell you whats on their mind. i hope this helps you this is what my husband does with me and it seems to work.